Youth Rugby Coaches Forum to be hosted by Nudgee College

New Reds coach Less Kiss to be among special guests in rugby’s Meeting of the Coaching Minds to be hosted by Nudgee College.

New Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss will headline the third annual Youth Rugby Coaches Forum to be held at Nudgee College on January 19 and 20.

The meeting of the minds will also include former Brumbies and Wallabies coach, Laurie Fisher, New Zealand Rugby, Cricket and Olympic Performance and wellbeing coach, John Quinn, recently appointed Reds assistant coaches Zane Hilton, Brad Davis and John Fisher; and Australian under 18 head coach Shannon Fraser.

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Founder and organiser Sean Graham said more special guests would be confirmed at a later date.

Laurie Fisher as a Super Rugby coach.

In addition, Channel 9 and Stan Sport rugby commentator, ex-Wallaby Morgan Turinui, will host the two-day program.

The event will feature on-field coach demonstrations, keynote presentations, Think Tanks and Q and As for coaches of youth athletes from schools and clubs across the country and further abroad.

“Over 350 coaches from around the country have attended our first two events with growing international appeal,’’ Graham said.

GPS First XV rugby grand final between TSS and Nudgee College. 9 September 2023 Southport Picture by Richard Gosling

Graham said the appetite for “coach development in Australian rugby is at an highest and widely regarded as a key pillar to move the game in the right direction’’.

“This is exciting, as a major part of the weekend is sharing our ideas and challenging our way of thinking, so the more diversity of coaches in the room the better.’’

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He said the forum had broad appeal across regional Queensland, interstate and even internationally because the College could offer guest on-site accommodation.

“So we welcome coaches from far and wide,” Graham said.

GPS First XV rugby, Brisbane Boys College v Toowoomba Grammar School. Saturday August 5, 2023. Picture, John Gass

He said “along with the technical and tactical core-skill and position-specific skill master classes’’, the forum would cover the art of coaching, feedback and communication techniques, session and program planning, mental fitness strategies, breathing techniques, video analysis, and strength and conditioning programs to name a few.

Other leading coaches confirmed include:

Matthew Wilkie - RA National High Performance Coach Development Manager

Rachel Vickery - Human Behaviour & High Performance Strategist

Nathan Grey - Australian U20s Head Coach

Kane Jury - New Zealand Schoolboys Head Coach & Talent Development Manager Highlanders

Ryan Schultz - Australian U16 Coach; QLD U18 Head Coach; Tuggeranong Vikings (ACT) Head Coach

Kyle McLean - Founder of The Coaching Gig Podcast; IntaSport Limited App; Head Coach of Bay of Plenty Volcanix

GPS First XV rugby, Brisbane Boys College v Toowoomba Grammar School. Picture, John Gass

“The event also enjoys strong support from Canterbury of New Zealand, who remain principal partners of the forum, helping to recruit presenters from around the country, and also sponsor attendees from regional and remote areas who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend,’’ Graham said.

GPS First XV rugby between Terrace and The Southport School. Saturday July 22, 2023. Picture, John Gass

Travel company, Student Horizons, have also joined the team as the Official Rugby Tour Partner of the forum.

For more information visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1134314

Terrace player Tom Robinson GPS First XV rugby between Terrace and The Southport School. Saturday July 22, 2023. Picture, John Gass

Originally published as Youth Rugby Coaches Forum to be hosted by Nudgee College